I do think it's true. I think women get a hard shake, that if we show our emoations it's, "The hormones are coming out, or, Are you about to start?"
I am a relatively high key person by nature. Short fuse, high strung. My boss and I are friends. Anytime I have a business meeting with our other partners or anything like that the positive feedback I get from my boss is when I keep my feelings out of it, carry myself in a professional and sensible manner.
It also happened at the hospital the other day. My dad had a surgery and my mom was pretty frustrated with a few things. I came in and in a very business like way told them the issues and how I wanted it solved. It happened immediately.
Definitely the way you act and carry yourself makes a huge difference no matter what environment you are in.